Mediation by the Consular Service Centre (CDC)

In some cases, the Consular Service Centre (CDC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can mediate for Dutch nationals who want to request documents from abroad and/or have documents legalised abroad. You can request this service by post or by email. Mediation can take between 8 and 12 months and costs €131 per document.

Who can the CDC mediate for?

The Consular Service Centre (CDC) can, in certain cases, mediate for Dutch nationals who want to request documents from abroad and/or have documents legalised abroad. Whether mediation is possible depends on the country the document comes from. Some countries will only issue a document to the person the document relates to, or to one of their family members.

What types of documents can the CDC mediate for?

You can only request certain documents from abroad. You can only have certain documents legalised abroad. Examples include birth certificates and consular civil status documents drawn up at a Dutch embassy or consulate.

what type of mediation you require (request for document and/or request for legalisation)

what type of document your request relates to

what country your request relates to

What to send

Requesting civil status documents

Along with your written request, you should enclose:

2 photocopies of your Dutch passport

If you want to request a new official copy of a document you already have, please also enclose:

a photocopy of the original document

If you do not have the original document or a photocopy of it, please enclose:

parents’ full names (if requesting a birth certificate)

the place and date of birth/marriage/death (if requesting an official copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate)

Having a document legalised

If you already have a document and only want to have it legalised in the country of origin, please enclose:

the original document

2 photocopies of your Dutch passport

Because you are sending an original document, you are advised to use registered post.

What does the CDC do?

The CDC will send a letter confirming receipt of your request. The letter will say how much you have to pay. When you have paid, the CDC will begin mediation. The CDC will send your document to the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country concerned. The embassy or consulate will contact the local authorities and/or institutions. When the process is complete, the documents will be sent to you by registered post.

How long does it take?

For consular documents mediation can take 8 to 12 weeks. The document will be provided by a Dutch embassy or consulate abroad.

For other documents mediation can take 8 to 12 months. The CDC cannot always guarantee success. It is dependent on foreign authorities.

What does mediation by the CDC cost?

Requesting documents costs €30 per document.

Requesting documents as well as their legalisation abroad costs €131 per document. If a document cannot be obtained or legalised, the mediation fee will not be refunded.

You will be billed separately for any other costs incurred, such as costs incurred at a municipal or district office, or courier costs.

Contacting the Consular Service Centre (CDC)

Postal address

Postbus 20061 2500 EB Den Haag

Telephone numbers

Within the Netherlands: 247-247-247 Phoning from abroad: +31-247-247-247